Sample holder and display device



Sept. 6, 1955 M. B. sTElNTHAL SAMPLE HOLDER AND DISPLAY DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Jan. 26, 1955 mL/m f; 9 l mm m 02000000 ,M /Mlm @/QGGGQ U M l a d DDDDD 2 www uw :e 000000 ,f T. @GGG W,

Sept. 6, 1955 M. B. sTElNTHAL SAMPLE HOLDER AND DISPLAY DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 26, 1955 m T. m V m ATTORN E YS Sept. 6, 1955 M. B. sTElNTHAL 2,717,075

SAMPLE HOLDER AND DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Jan. 26. 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VENTOR MA RTI N. S7f//1/7//A ATTORNEYS United States Patent SAMPLE HGLDER AND DHSPLZAY DEVICE Martin B. Steinthal, New Yorlr, N. Y.

Application January 26, 1953, Serial No. 333,1@ p

3 Claims. (Cl. 20S- 82) This invention relates to merchandising and more par` ticularly to a device for holding and displaying material to be sold, such as fabrics or the like.

Briefly stated the 'device of this invention comprises a generally rectangular, relatively rigid, at base of cardboard or other equivalent material, one edge of the base being folded to provide a relatively short portion overlying the base. A display panel substantially coextensive with said base is secured to the same in superimposed relation along a relativelyl narrow border entirely around the perimeter thereof. This panel is provided with rows of lsemi-circular apertures to receive relatively narrow stripsfof cardboard or other equivalent material, these strips having secured thereto samples of fabric to be displayed. Each strip is provided with an identifying number or other indicia adiacent one end thereof which is visible through circular" apertures adjacent the semi-circular apertures when the strips are.

in place on the display panel.

Fastening means is associated with the folded over portion of the base and passes through a relatively large sample of fabric which is substantially coextensive with the base, and through the base to secure the large sample in place overlying theindividual samples secured to the display panel outpermitting turning of the large sample to expose the individual samples.V y

The entire device with ythe samples secured therein, presents a flat relatively thin' assembly which may be conveniently packed 'in a sample or other case while occupying a minimum of space. Uponremoval, however, vthe device permits immediate and convenient inspection of the lar-gey sample as well as the 'individual samples and each individual sample may be removed for closer inspection and convenient comparison with other similar materials.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a sample holder and display device which occupies a minimum of space but which serves to hold a large sample of materiales well as a pluralityofindividual s amples, each individual sample being conveniently removable and replaceable in the holder.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a sample holder and display device in which individual samples are removably securedin position and in which a large sample is secured in overlying relationjto said individual samples to cover and protect the same, it being only necessary to turn the large sample to expose the individual samples. y l

A further object of the invention jis the provision of a sample holder and display device in which a plurality of individual samples are removably secured in position and in which identifying indicia is clearly visible while the indivdual samples are in place in the device.

A still Vfurther object of the invention is the provision of a sample holder and display device in which the sarnples -may be removed and replaced Eby other samples with a .mini-mum `of effort and without in any wayvlamagingthe samples.

Patented Sept. 6, 1 955 Fice Another object of the invention is the provision of a sample holder and display device in which a large sample and a plurality of individual samples are maintained in a relatively llat condition without damage thereto.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a sample holder and display device which permits the carrying of a relatively large number of samples in a relatively small space and which prevents inadvertent loss of the samples or damage thereto.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a sample holder and display device which is substantially rigid to permit convenient manipulation thereof and which may be economically constructed of readily available materials susceptible of manufacture in mass production.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a front elevationy of the sample holder and display device of this invention with parts broken away for greater clarity;

Fig. 2 a vertical sectional View taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 a View similar to Fig. 2 taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 a fragmentary horizontal section showing the various elementsof the device in position prior to final assembly;

Fig. 5 a fragmentary elevation on an enlarged scale of the upper portion of the device and with parts broken away for greater clarity;

Fig. 6 a horizontal sectional view taken on the line ti-6 of Fig. 5 and showing the parts ofthe holder and samples in position after final assembly;

7 a horizontal section taken on the line '7 7 of Fig. 5;

. 8 a bottom plan view of one of the samples;

9 a transverse vertical section taken on the line 9 9 of Fig. 8; l

Fig. l() a view in perspective of the `base portion .of the device and showing more particularly the portion thereof to which adhesive is applied;`

Fig. ll a View in perspective showing more particularly the sample holding and display panel provided with appropriate openings for receiving the supporting means secured to the samples;

Fig. l2 an elevational view of one of the individual flexible strips to which samples are secured;

Fig. 13 an edge view of the strip shown in Fig. ,12;

Fig. 14 a transverse vertical section taken on `the line 14-14 of Fig. 12; and

Fig. l5 a transverse vertical section taken on the line lS-l of Fig. l2.

With continued reference to the drawing particularly Fig. l0 the sample holder and display device of this invention may conveniently comprise a generally rectangular relatively rigid base il) of cardboard, plastic or other suitable material. Thebase 1t) terminates at one edge in a relatively short portion 11 folded over the base ld, the relatively short portion 11 terminating in a relatively shorter portion 12 folded under to occupy aposi- 'tion between the relatively short portion 11 and the` base lt?. The portion l2 may be provided with apertures i3 for receiving conventional pronged fastening means 14 with the head l5 of the fastening means .14 disposed between the portion l2 and the portion l1. The purpose of fastening means14 will be presently described.

As best shown in Fig. ll a display panel "1'6 of generally rectangular configuration and substantially the same size as the 'oase Si@ is provided with opposed semi-circular apertures l? and 18, such apertures being arranged insub- Vstantially parallel rows. Adjacent/each row of apertures 18 is a row of circular apertures 19, such circular apertures being disposed immediately adjacent each semi-circular aperture 18. Display panel 16 is also provided with a plurality of apertures 20 for receiving the fastening means 14 in a manner to be presently described.

The display panel 16 is secured to the base 10 by an adhesive or other suitable means applied thereto in a relatively narrow ribbon or strip as shown at 21 in Fig. 10, this adhesive extending entirely around the perimeter of the panel 16. This results in the panel 16 being secured to the base around the outside edge thereof leaving the central portion of the panel 16 free of the base 10.

Individual samples of fabric or other material to be displayed may take the form of relatively small substantially rectangular pieces 22, which may be secured to flexible supporting strips 23 by any suitable means such as a pressure sensitive adhesive applied to a central portion 24 of the strip 23. This adhesive may be applied to the strip 23 at the time of manufacture thereof and covered by a protective covering, not shown, in a manner well known in the art, or the adhesive may be applied to either the strip 23 or the sample 22 at the time the sample 22 is applied to the strip 23. Obviously, if desired, the sample 22 may be secured to the strip 23 in any other suitable manner.

As best shown in Figs. l2 to l5 the strip 23 may be stamped from any suitable flexible material such as cardboard, plastic or the like and comprises a generally rectangular central portion 25 having a relatively short tapered reduced tab 26 at one end thereof thus providing shoulders 27 at the line of juncture between the tab 26 and central portions 25. The opposite end of the strip 23 is provided with a relatively long tapered reduced tab 28 providing shoulders 29 at the line of juncture with the central portion 25. Tab 28 is also provided with identifying indicia 30 which may be printed or applied thereto in any suitable way.

As shown in Figs. l, 5 and 6 the strips 23 with samples 22 applied thereto are removably secured to the display panel 16 by bending or flexing the strips 23 and inserting the tab 26 in semi-circular aperture 17 and by inserting the tab 28 in semi-circular aperture 18. Upon insertion of these tabs the strip 23 is released and the natural resiliency thereof causes the same to straighten and the tabs 26 and 28 to move through the apertures 17 and 18 and between the panel 16 and base 10 until shoulders 27 contact the edge of semi-circular aperture 17 and the shoulders 29 contact the edge of semi-circular aperture 18. In this position the strip 23 and sample 22 carried thereby is securely held in place with the indicia 30 visible through the associated circular aperture 19. The strip 23 and sample 22 carried thereby may be conveniently removed from the display panel 16 for closer inspection or comparison with other material by grasping the strip 23 in the ngers and withdrawing the tabs 26 and 28 from the apertures 17 and 18. Upon completion of the inspection or comparison the strip 23 and sample 22 carried thereby may be returned to its position in the display panel in the manner described above.

Since it is highly desirable in the display and merchandising of material such as woven fabrics or the like that a relatively large sample thereof be available for inspection and comparison the device of this invention provides means whereby such a large sample may be conveniently secured in place thereon, and at the same time permit the convenient inspection and removal of the individual samples 22. The large sample 31 as best shown in Figs. l, 2, 5 and 6 is secured in place by the fastening means 14 with the prongs thereof passing through the sample 31, apertures in the display panel 16 and apertures 32 in the base 10 with the prongs of the fastening means 14 bent outwardly as clearly shown in Fig. 2 to secure the sample 31 in position. As shown in Fig. 1 this results in providing an assembly much in the nature of a book or magazine in which the large sample 31 comprises a cover or leaf which may be turned to expose the individual samples 22 removably secured to the display panel 16.

The large sample 31 may well comprise a piece of material of basic or neutral color and preferably clearly showing the weave or pattern of the material, if such be a woven fabric, while the individual samples 22 may comprise relatively small pieces of the same fabric or material as the large sample, but dyed in all varieties of colors available. The particular color of each individual sample 22 is plainly and conveniently identified by the indicia 30 visible through the circular apertures 19. If closer inspection or comparison of the individual samples 22 is desired they may be easily removed from the display panel 16 and replaced therein as fully described above. plied with an adhesive already applied thereto and protected by a covering sheet or tape which may be removed and a sample secured to the strip merely by pressing the same against the adhesive which is preferably pressure sensitive. Likewise, the large sample 31 may be removed from the holder and replaced by a diiferent sample simply by straightening the prongs of the fastening means 14, removing the old sample 31 and securing a new sample in place by the procedure described above.

All of the elements of the sample holder and display device of this invention may be produced from cardboard, plastic or other suitable material by simple stamping or die cutting operations and assembly of the elements may be readily accomplished by means of automatic machinery. Since substantially no skilled labor is required in the manufacture of the device the same may be very economically produced in great quantities, resulting in a device which may be profitably sold in a highly competitive market.

It will be seen that by the above described invention there has been provided, a sample holder and display device which permits the display of a relatively large sample of material of a basic or neutral color and the simultaneous display of a plurality of smaller individual samples of various colors which may be conveniently removed and replaced in the holder. The samples and holder are substantially at and occupying a minimum of space in a sample case or other container, such samples being maintained in a relatively llat condition thus preventing damage thereto. The individual samples are normally covered by the large sample which protects the individual samples from becoming soiled and from undue exposure to 1sunlight which might possibly result in fading of the co ors.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and therefore the invention is not limited by that which is shown in the drawing and described in the specification but only as Y indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A sample holder and display device comprising a relatively rigid substantially rectangular ilat base terminating at one edge in a relatively short portion folded over said base in superimposed relation, said relatively short portion terminating in a relatively shorter portion folded under and disposed between said relatively short portion and said base, a display panel superimposed on said base and substantially coextensive therewith, said panel being secured to said base along a relatively narrow border entirely around the perimeter thereof, oppositely disposed pairs of semi-circular apertures in said panel within said border arranged in parallel rows, a row of circular apertures in said panel adjacent each alternate row of semi-circular apertures with a circular aperture opposite each pair of semi-circular apertures, a plurality of removable individual sample carrying strips, each strip s comprising a relatively narrow substantially rectangular Obviously a plurality of strips 23 may be sup' central portion, a relatively short reduced tapered tab extending from one end of said central portion and providing shoulders at the line of juncture therewith, a relatively long reduced tapered tab extending from the opposite end of said central portion and providing shoulders at the line of juncture therewith, a pressure sensitive adhesive on said central portion for securing an individual sample thereto and indicia on said relatively long tab for identifying the sample, said relatively long tab being received in one of said semi-circular apertures with said indicia visible through the associated circular aperture and said relatively short tab being received in the opposite semi-circular apertures whereby said samples are removably supported in rows on said panel, a large sample substantially coextensive with said panel and having an edge disposed between said relatively shorter portion and said panel and fastening means extending through said relatively shorter portion, said large sample, said panel and said base whereby said large sample is secured to said holder in overlying relationship to said individual samples but permitting turning of said large sample to expose said individual samples.

2. A sample holder and display device comprising a relatively rigid substantially rectangular at base terminating at one edge in a relatively short portion folded over said base in superimposed relation, said relatively short portion terminating in a relatively shorter portion folded under and disposed between said relatively short portion and said base, a display panel superimposed on Said base and substantially coextensive therewith, said panel being secured to vsaid base along a relatively narrow border, oppositely disposed pairs of semi-circular apertures in said panel within said border arranged in parallel rows, a row of circular apertures in said panel adjacent each alternate row of semi-circular apertures with a circular aperture opposite each pair of semi-circular apertures, a plurality of removable individual sample carrying strips, each strip comprising a relatively narrow substantially rectangular central portion, a relatively short tapered tab extending from one end of said central portion, a relatively long tapered tab extending from the opposite ends of said central portion, a pressure sensitive adhesive on said central portion for securing an individual sample thereto, and indicia on said relatively long tab for identifying the sample, said relatively long tab being received in one of said semi-circular apertures with said indicia visible through the associated circular aperture and said relatively short tab being received in the opposite semi-circular aperture whereby said samples are removably supported in rows on said panel, a large sample substantially coextensive with said panel and having an edge disposed between said relatively shorter portion and said panel and fastening means extending through said relatively shorter portion, said large sample, said panel and said base whereby said large sample is secured to said holder in overlying relationship to said individual samples but permitting turning of said large sample to expose said individual samples.

3. A sample holder and display device comprising a relatively rigid substantially rectangular flat base terminating at one edge in a relatively short portion folded over said base in superimposed relation, said relatively short portion terminating in a relatively shorter portion folded under and disposed between saidrelatively short portion and said base, a display panel superimposed on said base and substantially coextensive therewith, said panel being secured to said base along a relatively narrow border, oppositely disposed pairs of semi-circular apertures in said panel within said border arranged in parallel rows, a row of circular apertures in said panel adjacent each alternate row of semi-circular apertures with a circular aperture opposite each pair of semi-circular apertures, a plurality of removable individual sample carrying strips, each strip comprising a relatively narrow substantially rectangular central portion, a relatively short tapered tab extending from one end of said central portion, a relatively long tapered tab extending from the opposite end of said central portion, a pressure sensitive adhesive on said central portion for securing an individual sample thereto and indicia on said relatively long tab for identifying the sample, said relatively long tab being received in one of said semi-circular apertures with said indicia visible through the associated circular aperture and said relatively short tab being received in the opposite semi-circular aperture whereby said samples are remov- 1 ably supported in rows on said panel, a large sample having an edge disposed between said relatively shorter portion and said panel and fastening means extending through said relatively shorter portion, said large sample, said panel and said base whereby said large sample is secured to said holder in overlying relationship to said individual samples but permitting turning of said large sample to expose said individual samples.

References Cited inthe file of thisk patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 903,988 Knauber Nov. 17, 1908 962,658 McLeod June 28, 1910 1,009,507 Green Nov. 21, 1911 1,570,364 Wieder Ian. 19, 1926 1,824,460 Bender Sept. 22, 1931 1,952,478 Stine Mar. 27, 1934 2,153,399 Steinthal Apr. 4, 1939 2,177,914 Steinthal Oct. 31, 1939 2,179,768 Weinlich Nov. 14, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS 348,766 Germany Feb. 15, 1922 

